Managing Partner Michael Barasch and John Feal recently spoke to NBC following the Victim Compensation Fund’s decision to amend the guidelines for 9/11 victims who pass away from COVID-19.
With weakened immune systems and breathing problems, the 9/11 community is uniquely vulnerable to the virus. And under the new VCF guidelines, their families will still be able to apply for compensation.
NBCNEWS.COM
Ground zero heroes gain some pandemic 'insurance'
The Victim Compensation Fund recently added COVID-19 as a 9/11 illness if the decedent had an underlying illness which put them more at risk—a huge relief to the 9/11 community. We have lost more than 100 clients due to this pandemic and urge everyone, especially family members of passed loved ones, to take advantage of these benefits.
Read the full article from The Washington Post here: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/sep/16/wrongful-death-claims-can-be-filed-911-victims-who/
WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Wrongful-death claims can be filed for 9/11 victims who died from COVID-19
The Victim Compensation Fund recently added COVID-19 as a 9/11 illness if the decedent had an underlying illness which put them more at risk—a huge relief to the 9/11 community. We have lost more than 100 clients due to this pandemic and urge everyone, especially family members of passed loved ones, to take advantage of these benefits.
Read the full article from The Washington Post here: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/sep/16/wrongful-death-claims-can-be-filed-911-victims-who/
WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Wrongful-death claims can be filed for 9/11 victims who died from COVID-19
September 11th is a day that will never be forgotten, but amidst the coronavirus pandemic and the upcoming election, this year looked particularly different. In this story from The Atlantic, John Feal and our client Victoria Burton vocalize their disappointment with both President Trump and Joe Biden continuing their campaign trail on the 19th anniversary of 9/11.
THEATLANTIC.COM
Poisoned by 9/11, Killed by the Coronavirus
Following 9/11, many first responders and survivors felt betrayed by the federal government’s response, having claimed the air at Ground Zero was safe to breathe. Now, during the coronavirus pandemic, many are once again questioning the government’s response efforts. To date, over 100 of our clients have passed away due to COVID-19.
CBSNEWS.COM
9/11 first responders and survivors struggle amid coronavirus pandemic
Please join Barasch & McGarry for a free live 9/11 Prostate Cancer Webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 at 8 am EST. We will discuss the rights available to victims who were exposed to Ground Zero toxins on or after 9/11. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the 9/11 community. There is free health care and compensation available, and strict deadlines everyone needs to know about.
Please RSVP here: https://www.911victims.com/rsvp/
911VICTIMS.RSVP
www.911victims.rsvp
The Federal Government recently removed funds to the World Trade Center Health Program to settle debts with New York City. Thousands may be left untreated during the pandemic while U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and New York City fight.
A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers say the Health Program should not be targeted and urge Mnuchin to put the money back.
See WSHU article here: https://www.wshu.org/post/feds-defund-911-first-responder-health-program#stream/0
To date, we have lost over a hundred clients to COVID-19, including our client, Arthur Lacker, who suffered from 9/11-related conditions from helping clean up at Ground Zero. Sara Director, Partner at Barasch & McGarry and a Glen Cove native, told Patch that even if members of the 9/11 community are not yet certified or registered, they now have until July 2021 to make their claim.
https://patch.com/new-york/longbeach/li-9-11-survivors-felled-covid-families-eligible-benefits
PATCH.COM
LI 9/11 Survivors Felled By COVID: Families Eligible For Benefits
Today is #RareCancerDay, an annual awareness day devoted to shining a light on rare cancers and the issues people living with them face. Rare cancers are disproportionately common in the 9/11 community due to the toxicity of the air in Lower Manhattan following the attacks. Every day, Barasch & McGarry observes how rare cancers and other disabling diseases linked to those toxins continue to devastate families.
As with any cancer, early detection is the key to recovery. But for many, the biggest hurdle is failing to connect the dots between exposure to the World Trade Center toxic dust and the 68 cancers and many respiratory illnesses which have been linked. Join us in honoring and remembering these cancer survivors by encouraging everyone in the 9/11 community to join the WTC Health Program and get themselves checked.
The Victim Compensation Fund now accepts wrongful death claims involving 9/11 victims who succumbed to COVID-19. That includes our clients Beatrice Granberg and Arthur Lacker who suffered from 9/11-related conditions but were unable to recover once diagnosed with the lethal virus. Their families spoke with FOX News to reflect on the passing of their loved ones.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/9-11-victims-compensation-fund
FOXNEWS.COM
Families of 9/11 first responders, survivors who died after contracting coronavirus gain 'insurance' from compensation fund
Barasch & McGarry is proud to announce that partners Michael Barasch, Barry Salzman and Sara Director were recognized as “Super Lawyers” in the New York Super Lawyer Metro 2020 Edition, and partner Lee London, associates Mariya Atanasova and James Steiner were recognized as “Rising Stars”.
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Congratulations!
With COVID-19 cases surging across the United States, we all have a duty to protect 9/11 first responders and survivors who have Ground Zero-related illnesses.
By following a few simple safety precautions, we can save thousands of lives. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Avoid large gatherings. Stay safe.
NYTIMES.COM
U.S. Records 100,000 Cases in a Day for the First Time
Barasch & McGarry and the Multiple Myeloma Support Group of Staten Island hosted this 9/11 Blood Cancer Webinar to spread the word about the World Trade Center Health Program and 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Joining us was Dr. Joshua Richter, MD, of Mount Sinai’s Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology Department.
Blood cancers are among the most common cancers in the 9/11 community. These programs are not just for first responders. Anyone may be eligible who was in Lower Manhattan on 9/11 or during part of the 8 months that followed, including residents, workers, students, and teachers. Please help us spread the word.
YOUTUBE.COM
9/11 Blood Cancer Webinar — Barasch & McGarry and the Staten Island Multiple Myeloma Support Group
John Ferreyra and Michael Barasch speak outside the Federal Courthouse in White Plains. Former NYPD officer Gustavo Vila was scheduled to plead guilty to stealing most of a $1 million Victim Compensation Fund award from Ferreyra.
Thank you to The Daily News for shining a light on this heartbreaking story of a corrupt VCF attorney stealing a disabled police officer's $1 million award. We are honored to have blown the whistle on the disgraced lawyer, and to represent the victim at no fee. We were able to recover $400,000 for him from The Lawyers' Fund. We will not rest until justice is served.
NYDAILYNEWS.COM
'A common thief’: Ex-NYPD veteran-turned-lawyer to plead guilty in $1 million scam of cancer-stricken Ground Zero cop
Michael Barasch is with Val VS Velazquez and Lee London.
January 9 at 10:09 PM ·
Today is National Police Officer Appreciation Day. I am deeply honored to represent and be friends with so many people from such a noble and respectable career choice. Not only do they put their lives on the line every day to protect us and our nation, they selflessly make sacrifices for the good of the nation. I am proud to have been able to donate 50,000 masks during this pandemic to every police precinct in New York City and I will continue to do everything I can to support police officers across the country. Thank you for everything you do now and always.
This is the 9/11 story of the Estreicher family: MaryAnn and her daughters, Callie and Tori. MaryAnn’s husband, Richard, was an FDNY Lieutenant studying to be promoted to Captain in 2001. Minutes after the towers were hit, Richie, who served with the Marines for three years, was on the phone with MaryAnn saying the country was under attack. He confessed, “I love you, and I don’t know if I’m coming back.” Hear the Estreicher family share their story with Q104.3 FM's Shelli Sonstein.
Barasch & McGarry is honored to sponsor ‘9/11 Stories: Remembering September 11th, 2001’, along with the Fealgood Foundation and the World Trade Center Health Program. Tune in every week for a new episode.
Michael Barasch, Managing Partner at Barasch & McGarry, and Partner Lee London, answer common questions about the World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The questions and answers address topics such as the typical length of the VCF process and sample awards. Here are the questions:
1. How long will the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) process take?
2. How much will I be awarded from the VCF?
3. Who does the VCF award check go to?
Barasch & McGarry represents more than 20,000 9/11 first responders and survivors and has recovered more than $2 billion for its clients. To learn more, please visit us at 911victims.org or call 212-385-8000.
The recent spike in COVID-19 cases threatens members of the 9/11 community whose exposure to Ground Zero toxins continues to compromise their immune and respiratory systems, as well as other people with underlying health conditions.
Managing Partner Michael Barasch and our client London Allen, who was a volunteer for nine months at Ground Zero and contracted thyroid cancer as a result, recently spoke with ABC Gainesville (WJCB) about how we can all protect 9/11 first responders and survivors in Northern Florida and across the United States by following COVID-19 safety precautions.
https://www.wcjb.com/2021/01/08/gainesville-woman-who-volunteered-at-911-ground-zero-says-please-wear-a-mask/
WCJB.COM
Gainesville woman who volunteered at 9/11 Ground Zero says “please wear a mask”
Introducing ‘9/11 Stories: Remembering September 11th, 2001’, a new podcast from Q104.3 FM's Shelli Sonstein serving as a platform to share a multitude of experiences from that tragic day. Barasch & McGarry is honored to sponsor this important storytelling initiative, along with the Fealgood Foundation and the World Trade Center Health Program. Tune in every week for a new episode.
Up first this week: Listen to Shelli interview Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The organization helps families of first responders who were killed in action—not just in New York City but all across the United States. Frank is the oldest brother of Stephen Siller, one of 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives at The World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Hear his inspiring story below and share with anyone who you think might find it interesting.
